Hello, Mamma. Happy Thursday! You still have over a week left to get all that Christmas stuff done, so deep breath. You’ve got time.
There are so many opportunities to connect with our kids at this time of year. Special food, special events, lights and color and magic all around. …As long as we don’t work ourselves to the point of break-down or freak-out trying to make that “perfect” Christmas.
I remember a couple years ago, flipping out at my husband. He is normally a more than full-partner partner, but toward the end of the year, his work gets insane, and I’m lucky to see him for half an hour in the mornings, never mind dinner, and we’re all usually asleep when he gets home at night. Nearly all the Christmas prep, then, falls to me.
He had made some comment – I’ve no idea what he said exactly – about my not stressing out, or why did I have to spend so much money at this time of year. I, close to the breaking point anyway what with doing my work and my home-work and his home-work and being solely responsible for all the preparations, gift buying, wrapping, cooking, etc., well, I flipped.
“HOW DO YOU THINK THIS ALL HAPPENS?” I shouted gesturing to the gifts and wrapping paper that littered our room. “YOU THINK THIS IS MAGIC? YOU THINK MAYBE ELVES COME IN TO OUR HOME AT NIGHT AND DO THIS?”
So, yeah, don’t get to that point.
I know you, you high-expectations, high-achieving, want-it-to-be-great-Mamma. You will run yourself to the edge of crazy making beautiful Christmas for your family. Just don’t run yourself over the edge, that’s all I’m saying.
You see, there is no perfect. There are many and varied opportunities for magic, you don’t have to touch them all to have a wonderful Christmas. Pick what matters to you and your family, do that, and then give yourself a break.
If the cards don’t get out, that’s okay. If you buy your cookies instead of making them, that’s okay. If you skip the party to go sledding, that’s fine too. Whatever works for you.
The point of Christmas is to be closer. It’s about love and peace and joy. It’s about remembering the guy who came to tell us that people are more important than stuff. To celebrate the light of the world coming into the darkness.
Be light, then. In heart and in home.
With love,